Boozeton Massachusetts

The Boston liquor license density map does a decent job pointing out the more popular hot spots for bars and restaurants. It comes as no surprise that the North End and Harvard Square have portions with a higher density than in other parts of the city. It may be interesting to see, however, that Davis Square has a larger concentration than Porter Square, or that the Harvard Business School and Athletic Facilities are in a very low spot.

The statewide density map could be used by citizens of central Massachusetts this weekend. If you want to head to a bar or restaurant to watch The Patriots do battle with The Giants on Sunday, you might head to an area with a larger concentration of liquor licenses… and hopefully more standing room. Speaking of the Patriots, check out the little warm spot that surrounds Foxboro. Without Gillette Stadium there, would we see that blob?

Heat maps are fun and they often garner a great deal of buzz. But more often than not, a heat map fails to tell the entire story. For this reason, I took a step back and made some trusty ol’ per capita maps (with a small twist; they are actually people per license).

While the heat maps essentially show access to establishments with liquor licenses, people per license maps show where supply is exceeding (local) demand. Admittedly, this is an odd metric for a metropolitan area. The people drinking at Logan, for example, are almost certainly not inhabitants of East Boston. Still, we may get a good idea of how much drinking is going on in neighborhoods throughout Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville.